Payne returns to Ireland team to face Italy

The Ireland coaching group have named the match day squad to take on Italy at the Aviva Stadium at lunchtime on Saturday.

Jared Payne returns to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the defeat by England

Rory Best captains the side in what will be his 50th Six Nations appearance and he will have Jack McGrath and Mike Ross alongside him in the front row. The second row partnership of Donnacha Ryan and Devin Toner is retained as is the backrow of Josh van der Flier at openside, CJ Stander at blindside and Jamie Heaslip at No.8.

The halfbacks are Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton with Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne reunited in midfield. Simon Zebo comes into fullback with Keith Earls and Andrew Trimble completing the back three.